Black River (Upper Queensborough)
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
The Upper Black is another of the rustic Highway 7 runs that is popular with spring time kayakers and open boaters alike. Much like the Beaver, the Upper Black is Class III/CIV with Class III Canyon runs, two Class IV drops all seperated by lesser rapids and flat water. Some of the canyon runs are longer and hard to scout, so some eddy hopping boat scouting skills are required. During the first part of the run, the rapids come fairly quickly and after the second drop they are more spaced out. The run ends with a small drop over the Old Mill Dam in Queensborough. Be sure to bring a couple of dollars along for the local Ladies who provide coffee/hot chocolate and homemade baked goods at the take-out. Although most of the rapids are named, most people only agree or know the 3 Drops. Bare Bottom Beach Falls (3 "B" Falls), Particle Accelerator and Mill Drop.
Access
Take Hwy #7 east to Norwood and continue east past Madoc until you pass the Black River.
Put in
Information about locating and using the put-in (parking, fees, special considerations, etc.)
Take out
The takeout is at the dam in Queensborough. Bring money for pies!
Rapids
The first rapid is just down stream of the put-in. One of the canyon run's and the rapid can be viewed if you take the short walk down the trail on the East side of the river at the put-in. Run centre and work left on the way down.
Bare Bottom Beach Falls (3 "B" falls)
This is recognizable by an old sign on river left that used to say "Danger Falls". The sign now says "Dan Fal". On river right is a cottage. Inspections and portages are usually done on river right although can be done of river left. This land is private but the owner has portage signs up, please stick to the route posted. The line is river left, with a small bump & grind to deal with on the approach at lower water levels. In higher conditions, there is a strong recycle on river left at the bottom of the drop. The water tends to shoot you to the centre of the river, so for the most part, it is easily avoided. After 3-B falls the river has a couple of significant rapids, some of which are long and narrow. Be aware of lumber in these sections and the chance of a swim could be long and cold. There are approx 6 to 8 class III rapids after 3-B falls.
This is about the 1/3 point of the river.
Big Rock
This rapid is above Particle Accelerator. The rapid is easily boat scouted from the top. On the way down, aim for the large rock, boat angled to river right, and punch the hole at the bottom. The hole is a little sticky, so be prepared for a flip and keep paddling.
Particle Accelerator
This is the first rapid after you pass under a very old bridge. This is a 40 foot rock slide. The line is mostly point and shoot although there is a rock in the centre of the river, about 50 yards downstream of the drop. There can be a hole on river left, aim right on the way down. This is about the 2/3 point in the river.
After Particle Accelerator, there is at least one significant canyon run with a dogs leg corner from right to left, 1/4 of the way down. Expect a quick turn, and a large hole. Be aware that the water does not push you towards river left.
Mill drop
Mill Drop is the last rapid on the Upper Black. Line the dam up about 50 feet left of the Mill Building. Don't start paddling hard too soon, as you will run out of steam before the dam. At lower level's you will bottom out on the dam, and pencil into the shallow rapid below. Boof off of the dam at 45 degrees if possible or take-out on river right.
Length of run
The run is 12km which takes around 4 to 5 hours of paddling with some scouting.
Water levels
The current level for this river can be found through the Environment Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data site, gauge 02HL003 Black River Near Actinolite.
Low flow is at 12.c and high flow is at 12.9 although there is no maximum level for this river.
